Incumbents
- President: Bill Clinton (Democratic)
- Vice President: Al Gore (Democratic)
- Chief Justice: William Rehnquist
- Speaker of the House of Representatives: Newt Gingrich (R-Georgia)
- Senate Majority Leader: Trent Lott (R-Mississippi)
- Congress: 104th (until January 3), 105th (starting January 3)
Read more about this topic: 1997 In The United States